TNAG-1839-FCO40-2614-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 67

The main

a channel

19. Since July 1985, the Joint Liaison Group has held

eleven plenary meetings, three per year.

purpose of the Joint Liaison Group is to act as

of consultation between the two sides over the

implementation of the Joint Declaration and the smooth transfer of government in 1997. It plays no part in the

administration of Hong Kong. It will continue its work

until 1 January 2000, rotating between London, Pekiny and

Hong Kong. In addition, a large number of specialist sub groups have met to discuss a variety of subjects relating to the implementation of the Joint Declaration.

From

1 July 1988 and in accordance with the Joint Declaration,

the two sides have established offices in Hong Kong.

These have greatly facilitated contacts between the two sides and further developed their working relationship.

20.

This

Annex II to this Memorandum contains a list of what

has been agreed so far by the Joint Liaison Group.

is the fruit of detailed meticulous discussions on

variety of highly technical subjects.

a

All that has been

agreed has been fully consistent with the terms of the

Joint Declaration. The work load has been a heavy one.

There is a major input not only from officials

in the

This Hong Kong

Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our Embassy in Peking

but also from the Hong Kong Government. involvement is particularly important because it helps to

ensure that local Hong Kong concerns are fully reflected in the process of implementing the Joint Declaration.

21.

The progress achieved by the Sino British Land